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Thread: '01 Z3 cannot communicate with DME

  1. #1
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    SOLVED '01 Z3 cannot communicate with DME

    Two different generic p code readers cannot communicate with this car's DME. It is giving an occasional trans fault warning light that is always gone when I see the car.
    Of more immediate concern is that the emissions testing station cannot communicate with it either so it has failed smog. NO "check engine" light on, car runs fine.
    Any thoughts?
    Last edited by ross1; 03-17-2018 at 05:14 PM.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  2. #2
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    random question - you may have done this already.
    is this via OBD-II port?
    is the 20-pin cap installed - tight?
    '95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!

  3. #3
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    check for ground at dme pins 4,5,6 12v at pins 7, 8 , 26
    Buy my native installed ISIS ISTA-D/ISTA-P bmw diagnostic laptop. More Info Here!

  4. #4
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    As shadowpuck has indicated, you should make sure that the cap on the underhood diagnostic port is in place. Also, you should find someone with an adapter for the 20-pin plug underhood, and try connecting there. At least find out whether you can communicate with the DME through that port....this is important. At the very least, if you can communicate through that port, and have an adapter, the emissions testing/inspection machine will actually work just fine, plugged into the 20-pin port.

    Can you communicate with the EGS? Does the CEL actually work?

    Chris Powell
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    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  5. #5
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    missed the part of the car running. Definetly check 20 pin port. You can wire direct to this without adapter should you need to in a pinch. Check voltage drop across k-line from 20 pin and/or obd port to dme as well if cap is on proper and still no comm.
    Buy my native installed ISIS ISTA-D/ISTA-P bmw diagnostic laptop. More Info Here!

  6. #6
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    Thanks for some ideas.
    No communication with anything, DME or EGS
    I'll try to get my hands on the car today and check the under hood diag. port and the DME pins as suggested.
    It would be nice if it were a loose cap on the 20 pin
    Thanks all, will advise progress.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  7. #7
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    I had a quick look at the diagrams, Ross.

    Pin 1 of the 20-pin connector receives the data from the DME, and also the EGS and several other modules.This is a black wire.
    Pin 2 of the 20 pin connector goes to the OBD 16-pin connector at its pin #7. This is a white/violet/yellow wire. I see no other connection between the DME and the OBD connector.

    I cannot see it in the diagrams, but my guess would be that the cap is bridging pin 1 to pin 2 .

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  8. #8
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    Chris, weren't there some M and Z models that had a recall for this exact issue? Also, on the E38, there is a fuse for the ports that have caused this in the past. It doesn't show up on the fuse list in the car. Think it's F25 on our cars.

  9. #9
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    Fuse 31 would be for this car's OBD. Fuse 26 for the 20 pin. Maybe, just maybe the 20 pin's power failed, but I don't think this would cause communication failure at the 16 pin connector. And the failure of power at the 16 pin would cause the generic OBD tool to fail to activate at all, I believe. As for a recall, well, maybe.....I'll see what I can find, I don't remember anything , but there's a whole lot of stuff I don't know......

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  10. #10
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    Alright, you guys will love this one.
    SO, the 20 pin cap was loose. A pin from a Peake tool had come off and remained in the 20 pin socket preventing the cap from closing which was pretty obvious.
    Car owner's nickname is Magoo.
    Thanks for the help.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  11. #11
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    Hey, the problem is solved....trouble is, the blind Mr. Magoo is driving again. Glad I live far away!

    I hope he tipped you, for going well above and beyond the call of duty.

    SHADOWPUCK: GREAT CALL !!!

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  12. #12
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    Yes, thanks to Shadowpuck I now know why there are shorting pins in that cap.

    This was for dear friends so no remuneration beyond coffee and cake. MRS Magoo is back on the road in her Z3. MR Magoo drives an MB, with the left blinker continuously on.

    If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. - Mark Donohue

  13. #13
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    awesome! i'm glad it was an easy fix! i had to extract a peake pin once on my track car - so, this reminded me of that....
    '95 325iS - auto to manual swap done!

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